Electrical plug and receptacle



Nov. 17, 1936. J. F. NAVERT ET AL 2,060,387

ELECTRICAL PLUG AND RECEPTACLE Filed April 9, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 I L2 /3 i o "@w A? Inventor 9 aenwaerf o? //(7 AZ/red fdS/ezzameq? Z0 By Nov. 17, 1936. J. F. NAVERT ET AL ELECTRICAL PLUG AND RECEPTACLE Filed April 9, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f] tlomey Patented Nov. 17, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRICAL PLUG AND RECEPTACLE John F. Navert, Alfred Max Steinmetz, and Alfred Ernest Steinmetz, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa.

Application April 9, 1934, Serial No. 719,766

1 Claim.

- is to provide a novel plug and receptacle therefor wherein the plug and receptacle are constructed in such a manner as to permit a slight movement of the plug after insertion to cause the plug to be fastened securely to the receptacle with its contact prongs in electrical connection with the contacts of the receptacle.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a novel plug and receptacle of extreme simplicity, to the end that the same can be manufactured at a cost not exceeding the cost of manufacturing present day type of wall receptacles and plugs, of the prong type.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide an electrical plug and receptacle wherein the plug is constructed in such a manner as to permit insertion and fastening of the plug to the receptacle, a simple and quick operation, and wherein its construction is substantially fool-proof.

Other important objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following specification.

In the drawings:-

Flgure 1 represents a front elevational view of the receptacle, with one of the plugs engaged therewith.

Figure 2 represents a front elevational view of the receptacle removed from its mounting.

Figure 3 represents a front elevational view of the box portion of the receptacle, with the springs installed therein.

Figure 4 represents a front elevational view of the receptacle box, with the springs removed.

Figure 5 represents a vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Figure 1, showing the receptacle in side elevation, with parts broken away.

Figure 6 represents a longitudinal sectional view through the receptacle.

Figure '7 represents a cross sectional view taken substantially on line 1-1 of Figure 4.

Figure 8 represents a plan view of one of the spring members.

Figure 9 represents a side eievational view of the plug.

Figure 10 represents a front elevational view of the plug.

Figure 11 represents a side elevational view of a fuse type 0! P1118- Figure 12 represents a front elevational view of the fuse type of plug.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, it-can be seen in Figure 5 that numeral 5 represents the wall of a building provided with the pocket 6 therein for receiving the novel receptacle construction I. The receptacle structure disclosed in the drawings is of the dual socket type and consists of the box-like structure 8 provided with the cross member 9 therein and the dividing members Ill-40 extending inwardly from the opposite ends thereof. The cross member 9 is provided with openings II in the ends thereof into which the screws l2 can be engaged for clamping the intermediate portions of the elongated spring strips I3 to the cross member 9, the cross member 9 being cut away at the points i l-I4 to provide seats for the spring strips l3. Inwardly extending members Ill-l0 also have openings I5 therein for receiving the screws 06 which extend through the cap member M.

This cap member H is provided with a pair of head-like formations aa connected by a reduced neck portion 1) and each of the head portions a--a is provided with a pair of arcuateshaped slots Ill-I8, each opening at one end into an enlarged circular opening It. A free end of each of the springs i3 is disposed under a corresponding slot l8.

Numeral 20 represents the usual strap which is disposed along the back side of the box 8 with its ends bent outwardly and apertured to receive the retaining screws 2!. Numeral 22 represents a cover plate which is secured by a screw 23 to the cap member II of the receptacle.

The novel plug structure is generally referred to by numeral 24 and consists of the knob-like body 25 having a pocket 26 in the forward side thereof. Aconductor opening 2i extends through the body 25. To the bottom of this pocket 26 are secured the base members 28-28 of the plug prongs 29-29, each provided at its outer end with a ball-shaped head 30.

In the use of the plug, the ball-shaped heads 30 are inserted through the circular openings I9 of the cap member I1 and pushed against the springs I3I3, while at the same time the plug is rotated slightly so that the prongs 29 are brought into the slots I8. As the diameter of the heads 3!! exceeds the width of the slots, the heads will simply bear against the under side of the cap plate I1 and be retained in this position by the tension of the corresponding contact springs I3.

In Figures 11 and a modification of the invention is shown wherein the same principle is adapted to a fuse plug. Numeral 3| designates the fuse body which is provided with a window 32 at one end and a pocket 33 at its other end. The bases 34 of a pair of prongs 3H5 are secured to the bottom of this pocket 33, while on each of the bases 34 is a spring clip 36. These spring clips serveto engage the contact heads 31 of a fuse glass 38 through which the fuse wire 39 extends. The prongs 35 are also provided with ball-like heads 4| and the fuse receptacles can be constructed in the same manner as the wall receptacles hereinbefore described, Obviously, a fuse plug constructed in this manner can be retained over a considerable period of time, its use necessitating only the replacement of the fuse cartridge from time to time, as required.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:-

A duplex electrical outlet receptacle comprising an elongated block of insulation provided with an elongated pocket therein. a transverse member in the block dividing the block into a pair of compartments, said cross member protruding at its ends beyond the sides of the block and provided with screw openings in the protruding portions thereof, a pair of elongated spring contactors each provided with a lateral formation at its intermediate portion apertured for disposition over the corresponding screw opening of the cross member, a screw for each of the lateral formations disposed through the opening therein and into the opening of the cross member end, a cover for the block having a reduced intermediate portion to avoid the aforementioned screws, said cover being provided with plug prongs-receiving openings opposed to corresponding ends of the said spring contactors.

JOHN F. NAVER'I',

ALFRED MAX STEINME'I'Z,

ALFRED ERNEST STEINMETZ, Jn. 

